Shannyn Sossamon

Shannon Marie Kahololani "Shannyn" Sossamon is an American actress, musician, and director born on October 3, 1978. She is best known for her starring roles in films such as A Knight's Tale, 40 Days and 40 Nights, The Rules of Attraction, Wristcutters: A Love Story, and The Holiday. In addition to her acting career, Sossamon has worked as a model, musician, and independent filmmaker.

Sossamon was born in Hawaii and raised in Reno, Nevada. Her heritage includes Dutch, English, French, German, Irish, Filipino, and Hawaiian ancestry. Following her parents' divorce when she was five years old, she and her sister were raised by her mother and stepfather, Randy Goldman. Sossamon attended Galena High School in Reno, graduating in 1995. Immediately after graduation, she relocated to Los Angeles to study dance and altered the spelling of her first name.

After moving to Los Angeles, Sossamon worked as a DJ in local venues and modeled for companies such as Sassy Magazine, Unionbay Clothing, American Eagle Outfitters, and Planned Parenthood. She also appeared in television commercials and music videos for artists including Daft Punk and Cher. After guest-starring on Mr. Show with Bob and David in 1997, she was discovered by a casting director in 1999. Sossamon achieved her film breakthrough in 2001 when she was cast as Lady Jocelyn opposite Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale, earning multiple MTV Movie Award and Teen Choice Award nominations.

Following her debut, Sossamon starred in the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002) alongside Josh Hartnett and portrayed Lauren Hynde in the dark satire The Rules of Attraction (2002). After starring in the 2003 supernatural thriller The Order, she took a hiatus from film acting due to pregnancy and motherhood, making a brief television appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2004. She returned to screen acting in 2005 with roles in projects such as Devour, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Undiscovered.

Sossamon gained further critical notice for her performance in the independent film Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) and appeared in the romantic comedy The Holiday (2006). Her television work includes recurring and main roles on series such as Dirt, Moonlight, and How to Make It in America. She earned another Teen Choice Award nomination for her lead role in the 2008 horror remake One Missed Call. Parallel to her acting, Sossamon was a member of the indie rock band Warpaint from 2004 to 2008, providing vocals and drums for their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse.

Sossamon later established an online production initiative, the Maudegone Theater, through which she began directing and producing short films and music videos. Her subsequent acting credits include feature films such as Road to Nowhere, The End of Love, and Sinister 2.